WHAT looked a worrying neck injury to Preston replacement Robbie Willetts held up play for half an hour in a game as dull as the weather

The visitors were in fact leading 15-8 at half time, thanks to excellent tries by Ed Keohane and Owain Williams, and a Sam Freeman penalty to go with a conversion

Out of sorts Tynedale struggled to find the sort of form that saw them win their opening five games, only occasionally sparking into life, with a Cam Grant penalty followed by a Ben Haigh try being the sum of their first half efforts.

Tynedale made an improved start to the second half, and 11 minutes in Haigh crashed over for his second try, Grant’s conversion bringing things level.

Then came to injury to Willetts on 14 minutes, which brought the game to a lengthy standstill before he was stretchered off.

The game resumed with a penalty to Tynedale stroked over from 40 yards by Grant, and soon after a superb break by skipper Will Miller was rewarded with an excellent try, converted by Grant.

Hoppers almost snatched a losing bonus point when a late penalty attempt by Keohane drifted just wide of the uprights,

Man of the match: Will Miller, Tynedale
Attendance: 325
Referee Nathan Howarth